Today is a holiday in Pervomaisk. The new temple, built at the request of local residents, was consecrated. It is located in the village park, founded two years ago on the initiative of the population. The President heard the residents’ requests and contributed to the creation of long-awaited socially significant facilities in both cases. The Church in Pervomaisk is named after the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Chonae. The first service within the walls of the church was held on the eve of the temple holiday. Orthodox Christians will honor tomorrow the saint in whose honor the Church in Pervomaisk is named.
Today's festive service was conducted by Archbishop of Tiraspol and Dubossary Sawa. The President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Vadim Krasnoselsky was present. Father Superior Alexei at the end of the service recalled that the church had been awaited here for more than a century – since the founding of the village. There has been an Orthodox community in Pervomaisk for three decades, headed by Archpriest Alexei Safronovich for 17 years. He expressed gratitude to the President for the fact that the leader of the country heard the voice of the people and contributed to the construction of the church. Archbishop Sawa called the golden church domes a beacon of life, drawing attention to the fact that the temple stands on a hill, showing parishioners the truly correct path. Vadim Krasnoselsky said that today will occupy a special place in the history of the village, calling the temple “the soul of the village”. He congratulated the parishioners, urging them to protect the new church.
The appearance of a church in a locality today was compared to the birth of a person. They recalled the history of the first Orthodox churches. They talked about the atheistic time, emphasizing that those who destroyed churches destroyed only church walls, but faith remained indestructible. Parishioners were urged to “protect the temple like the apple of their eye, protect it like a mother protects her child”.
Words of gratitude were addressed to the builders, benefactors and everyone who was involved in the construction of the temple. Archbishop Sawa presented church awards to especially distinguished. Participants of the festive event exchanged symbolic memorable gifts.
The transformation of the Church of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Chonae will continue. The iconostasis has already taken its place under the church vaults; painting of the temple will take place.
